City of Wanneroo campaigns for federal funding in large infrastructure projects

GROWTH area local governments, including the City of Wanneroo, are campaigning for a national funding program to develop recreational facilities such as pools and libraries.

The Wanneroo council recently agreed to take part in the Growth Area Alliance Perth and Peel’s regional advocacy campaign calling for the Federal Government to establish a fund for district and regional infrastructure.

The WA Local Government Association put forward the advocacy proposal for alliance members, which was expected to cost $10,000 to $15,000 per member.

According to the council report, the alliance group had been working with the State Government to develop a business case for the fund.

“It is the view of (alliance) members that this draft business case highlights the lack of suitable funding sources to meet what are often recreation investments of between $20 million and $100 million,” the report said.

It said the current Community Recreation and Facilities Sporting Fund was “not geared up for this level of investment”.

The report said local governments would be “under considerable financial pressure” to fund the infrastructure without funding from the State Government or a partnership between local, state and federal governments.

“Wanneroo is a very good example, with four regional active open space facilities being required between Alkimos and Yanchep, as well as a range of regional community facilities,” it said.

Those facilities potentially include a regional level indoor pool and library or community centre.

“The developer contribution plans in place for Alkimos-Eglinton and Yanchep-Two Rocks only collect funds towards the provision of district level facilities,” the report said.

It said facilities such as Butler north playing fields placed a “significant funding burden” on the City because they were not identified in a developer contribution plan.

Mayor Tracey Roberts said the fund was important for outer metropolitan growth areas that needed to provide facilities for their communities, particularly youth.

“This is going to be an incredibly important fund for our City,” she said.

Cr Samantha Fenn said it would help keep rates down while providing more facilities.

Last November, the council also resolved to continue advocating for roads, rail, reserves and region through its Connect Wanneroo campaign.

It approved a fresh advocacy agenda that would focus on extending the Mitchell Freeway to Romeo Road, developing a plan for freight movement and “watching” the State Government-funding rail extension to Yanchep plan.

Securing funding for the Butler north district open space was another aim, as was a continued focus on jobs and agribusiness.